Coronavirus Cases Have Exceeded 500 In Darien: First Selectman

DARIEN, CT — Since the beginning of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in March, 517 Darien residents have been infected with the virus, nearly 60 of which were reported in the past two weeks, according to First Selectman Jayme Stevenson.

The total number of local households directly impacted by the coronavirus this year stands at 380, and the town's rate of infection is 3.4 percent.

Over the two-week period, Darien's rolling average of coronavirus cases was 33.5 per 100,000 people, according to state health officials, and as a result, the community remains one of Connecticut's red alert towns. Red alert status means the number of COVID-19 cases exceeds 15 per 100,000 people.

"Looking back for comparison, we had 193 cases reported in March and April combined and 737 tests were performed on Darien residents in that same time period," Stevenson said in a Code Red message to residents Thursday evening. "During November and December, to date, we’ve had 218 cases reported with over 6,800 tests performed."

Darien Public Schools had 10 reported coronavirus cases among either staff or students as of Thursday, which resulted in 109 members of the school community under quarantine at eight schools.

As a result, Royle Elementary School was on a remote learning schedule Friday due to numerous staff members under quarantine, according to district officials.

Below is the text of Stevenson's Code Red message:

Good evening. This is First Selectman Jayme Stevenson with a weekly COVID-19 update for Thursday, December 10th.

As of today, 517 Darien residents have tested positive for the virus since March from a total of 380
households. There have been 59 cases reported over the past 2 weeks and our positivity rate stands at 3.4 percent. There are 10 active cases in our school community resulting in 109 quarantines. The State of Connecticut Department of Public Health shows our 14-day rolling average as 33.5 per 100,000. Within-household and small gatherings are the predominant forums for transmission.

Looking back for comparison, we had 193 cases reported in March and April combined and 737 tests were performed on Darien residents in that same time period. During November and December, to date, we’ve had 218 cases reported with over 6,800 tests performed.

As a reminder, the CDC (www.CDC.gov) reports common COVID-19 symptoms as new loss of taste
and/or smell, sore throat, shortness of breath, dry cough, fever, body aches, chills, fatigue and
congestion. If you have any of these symptoms or have been exposed to someone who has tested
positive, we recommend you get tested.

Everpoint Health provides testing in Darien. You can register to be tested at EverpointHealth.com. More information is available on the Town’s COVID-19 portal (http://www.darienct.gov/covid19) on all testing providers statewide. If you’ve been tested and are awaiting results, you must stay home until a negative result has been received.

Connecticut has not yet adopted the new CDC quarantine rules so 14-day quarantines still stand if you are considered a close contact. Testing out of a travel quarantine is still permitted but is subject to change.

We are monitoring the availability of vaccines and will be providing information for those eligible in Phase 1A (healthcare workers, nursing home residents and medical first responders) as soon as that information becomes available. Hospitals may begin to receive vaccine as soon as next week.

The best way to stay healthy and to protect others is to wear a face covering and distance yourself when in public or when gathered with folks outside your own household. Wash your hands often. Please be mindful of these health guidelines as you prepare for the holiday season with shopping and dining out.

Have a good evening and a safe weekend!

CodeRed Reverse 911 Registration Portal: https://public.coderedweb.com/CNE/en-US/6AB0EACFCCDD